With a market share of 15.5%, DAF strengthened its position in the European heavy truck market segment in 2011 (2010: 15.2%). DAF is market leader in the Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain, Poland and Hungary and the largest import brand in Germany and France. In Austria and the Czech Republic, DAF occupies a strong second place.
In the tractor segment, DAF is the market leader in the Netherlands, Great Britain, Belgium, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. In France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Hungary, record market shares were achieved in this segment. In the total European tractor segment, DAF achieved a market share last year of nearly 19%. This DAF is the market leader in the European Union.
The total market for heavy commercial vehicles in the European Union last year was about 244,000 units, an increase of over 33% compared to a year earlier, when approximately 183,000 trucks were registered in this segment. DAF expects the market for heavy trucks in Europe will reach 210,000 to 240,000 vehicles this year. For the light segment – in which DAF is active with the LF – it is estimated that the market in Europe will remain at a level of approximately 56,000 units. DAF saw its market share in this 6 to 15 tons class rise from 7.7 to 8.9% in 2011.
Growth outside Europe
DAF has also strengthened its market position outside the European Union. In 2011, the truck manufacturer delivered more than 5,200 CF and XF vehicles, more than twice as many as in 2010. Significant growth was, among others, achieved in Russia, Turkey, Morocco, South Africa and Taiwan, where last year the 1,000th locally assembled CF rolled off the assembly line and where DAF is the market leader among the European brands in heavy tractors.
Growth in rigids
"Our success is the result of a modern product range, premium service and a very professional dealer organization," said Ron Bonsen, member of the Board of Management of DAF Trucks NV and responsible for Marketing & Sales. "With a market share of 15.5% in the heavy segment in Europe, we are well on our way to our goal of 20% over the medium term. Naturally, we will further strengthen our position in the tractor segment. The growth will especially have to be achieved with our wide range of two-, three-and four-axle rigids, whereby we deliver a vehicle for every specific application."